Listening… Daughter / Triple J's Hottest 100 / Appleonia / Vancouver Sleep Clinic The last two bands were the supporting acts of recent concerts I attended click here to download Appleonia's album and three meals will be donated by Oz Harvest.Reading… Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin / The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian by Alexie Sherman / I'd Tell You I love you but I Would Have to Kill you by Ally Carter / Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David LevithanWatching…The Book Thief / Her I absolutely loved Her and the film has become a favourite of mine. I recently got recommended tv series Fresh Meat and have seen every episode to date on a 'show binge'. With mixed emotions I announce that I have reached the end of Buffy I didn't quite enjoy the seventh season as much as others but I think I'm just being bitter in spite of my favourite tv program ending. Brooklyn Nine Nine has been my recent show binge this month after it killed it at the award ceremonies over in the States. Loving….// mango smoothies// soirees with lovely company
// beach runs in the diaphanous sun// this butterfly map that is a cruel but gorgeous // Figgy Maple Bourbon Fizz looks so good// Anila Quayyum Agha's installation 'Intersections' is a suspended cube that casts beautiful shadows // Jungle Giants just announced a tour and I'm excited// The lovely gal's over at Beautiful Mess kindly shared this chain braid hair tutorial

The window of opportunity to enjoy the splendour of my freedom before my studies resume was closing, so one last soiree in the city was launched. As part of the Sydney Summer Festival I attended were War Is Over at the MCA and Exxopolis Architects Of Air: Luminaruim. Luck was on our side as we had quintessential summer weather, ideal for exploring the city sights. First on the agenda was Exxopolis Architects Of Air: Luminaruim is essentially a jumping castle you can walk through. Exploring the installation space of Exxopolis I was captivated by a diaphanous sky filled with a rainbow of colours.

It curiously reminded me of an episode of animated children's show Magic School Bus inside a human body. However, the calming sounds and air conditioned vents make for a pleasantexperience and I would of happily napped all afternoon if it wasn't time to hop over the harbour to The Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay.

War Is Over (Only If You Want) by artist and purveyor of peace Yoko Ono is a entirely unique art-space and gallery experience. It incorporates sculpture, immersive installations, written texts, films, sound compositions and participatory art works. It runs until 23 February and I would recommend visiting if you haven't already.

Monday, 27 January 2014

I thought I might share some of my favourite Polaroid 600 photos taken over the past twelve months. I adore the aesthetic of film and think it's just completely magical to watch each shot develop and transform before your eyes. As a amateur photographer* it's simply a bit of fun to play dress ups with my sister or cousin and it's not a regular hobby (as much as Instagram). These are a selection from three packs to film; two were expired, the other was a Impossible Project PX 680. Thank you to my sister Brittany and cousin Jade who roll their eyes but always appease my requests at being my model, your patience and kindness is appreciated.

*I'm not trained in photography so these are self-taught, experimental pictures I would love to have a try at digital at some stage or another.

Sunday, 19 January 2014

I'm a library girl through-and-through and consequently my personal book collection is quite small in comparison to what I've read. Kinokuniya is my favourite bookstore and if I was being entirely honest, challenges Disneyland as the 'happiest place on earth'. It is so grand the book paraphernalia is managed into departments such as Graphic Novels/Anime, Young Adult, Children, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, etc. Each department has it's own iPad 'book finder' that navigates you to the book because the size of the entire book store it is quite easy to get lost. I visit Kinokuniya when I get the chance too, even if it's just to spend a few hours browsing the shelves. I can't wait to read the books I have picked out I always seem to find 'retail therapy' the best solution to a rough day.

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

On the 26th of January (Australia Day) Triple J radio orchestrates a top 100 chart for the year based on votes by the public. I look forward to listening to the songs chosen, even though last year I was disappointed by the song ranked first. However, you can make your preferences known by visiting the Triple J radio's website to cast a vote of ten songs.

Friday, 10 January 2014

At the start of 2013 I set myself the challenge of reading a total of thirty five books, an ambitious goal considering my schedule and how little time I had to read. (How ironic that a librarian doesn't have time to read!) Using my Goodreads account as a tool for finding books that were similar to previous reads and recording my progress throughout the year; I managed to read thirty over the year. I hope to feature more book related content on the blog so I have included a Bookmark segment in the navigation sidebar. Feel free to add me as a friend on goodreads via this link

Before I recommend my favourites of 2013 books I would like to mention that I don't have a simple criteria for how I judge books because they all serve different purposes varying on genre, target audience etc. However, I do follow a strict 100 page test and will promptly abandon any book that fails to meet my standards. Important qualities I look for during those 100 pages include..

Engaging content: Character development, entertaining plot etc

Writing quality: Not just big fancy words but making every word significant

Themes/Messages: Does it have a agenda?

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling I want to believe Mindy and I would be best friends in real life. As a fan of Mindy's tv show The Mindy Project and I'm encharmed by her witt and sassiness. It was funny, entertaining and she shares personal stories like your chatting over coffee. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? doesn't stick with the typical writing format and includes lists, pictures and chapters written by friends. I loved it and it was the first memoir I've read. One Day - David Nicholls Emma and Dexter. Dex and Em. What a precious duo. We visit them for only one day a year over the course of twenty years, catching flashes of their lives. They quickly become real to me because their stories are so real; grief, drug addictions, anxiety, dysfunctional relationships. A enjoyable quality is the alternating chapter point of views, it isn't a typical romance novel but I loved reading about their love. Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher The story follows Clay when he learns of the thirteen reasons why…Hannah committed suicide. I loved the journey this book took me on especially how it addresses multiple themes for a young adult readership such as; identity, sexuality, grief, social anxiety, bullying and mental health.Also the re-occurring message of how action and inaction can impact an individual. It's not as depressing as it makes out to be so please read if you would like to experience something a little different.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
This book is the first of it's kind. I respected its courage to push fiction boundaries, testing my imagination as a reader and inspiring creativity. I have lent my own copy to many people and the sequel Hollow City can be pre-ordered here for release date on the 29th January!

Glow - Amy Kathleen Ryan

Space and science fiction wasn't ever 'my thing' Glow changed that. I enjoyed concepts of faith, gender roles & IVF. It's dystopian literature in content especially in the revolutionary anti-government messages it communicates. Thank goodness it is a trilogy because I wanted more! Spark and Flame are the books that continue the story.

The Reader - Bernhard Schlink

Set is a postwar Germany landscape it follows Michael and Hanna, sectioned in two parts over seven years. This novel is quite philosophical in dealing with the ethics of World War II, childhood innocence and relationships. Written beautifully here's a sample“Desires, memories, fears, passions form labyrinths in which we lose and find and then lose ourselves again.” (18)

The Help - Kathryn Stockett

I loved this book so much it changed the way I interacted with books. Normally I would worship the books, not cracking their spines, using bookmarks and keeping them in pristine condition. This book taught me bad habits like highlighting quotes, dog-earing pages and writing thoughts in margins. If I had my hearts desire I would hand out copies to strangers; it shares so much wisdom.

Beauty Queens - Libba Bray

Most feminist book I have ever read but methodically presented in a satirical, modern pop-culture context that shifts gears into a new age feminism. Libba Bray creates these fictional worlds that seem so fantastical but with a huge skeleton based on modern society. Likeable characters, hilarious dialogue, and interesting structures (pageant contestant profiles, the commercial breaks adverts & the glimpses into the each characters past)

Jasper Jones - Craig Silvey

This book draws comparisons to Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird' yet it is so vibrant in painting a different story in shades of Australian culture, racism, the underdog and rural living in Western Australia in the 60's. Probably the most accurate description of life as a teenager written by an adult. Absolutely magical read and has a place in my top favourite books of all time.

The Language of Flowers - Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Another book that has won place as a top favourite of all time this was the most beautifully written book read in 2013. I loved it so much I reread it as soon as I finished. Victoria Jones is so fractured and broken and her story is a universal story. I loved how Victoria made me listen to everyone's stories because everyone matters and has something significant to share.

I would like to apologise how overdue this post is and also in regards to any technical difficulties readers might be experiencing to retrieve my uploads. Thank you for your patience while I do my best to resolve these issues. Listening… Sarah Blasko as I prepare myself for her concert next week and Vampire Weekend who I missing out on seeing live *sobs* However I have a post coming up with my top ten songs of 2013 for my submission of Triple J Hottest 100. Reading… I'm reading for leisure and for my summer university English Literature class. For leisure I read in December Spark (Sky Chasers #2) by Amy Kathleen Ryan and The Gates by John Connolly. I am currently reading The Colour Purple by Alice Walker which I'm finding a little hard to navigate through due to the unique writing style and language register. However I am enjoying the challenge because as a prescribed text I am reading Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard. As a fan of the first season of the tv series I am enjoying this step away from my current reading choices. Other university texts include picture books Tales from Outer Suburbia &The Rabbitsby Shaun Tan, both I adored. Watching…Buffy, True Blood (season 6),Girls and Sherlock (season 3). I was quite lost when all my current tv shows went on Christmas hiatus so I occupied my time catching up on oldies. I can't wait for season three of Girls to start on January 12 and I am patiently awaiting the second episode of Sherlock season 3. Loving…. Summer afternoons. Spending time by the seaside, sharing tea with my grandparents or afternoons lazy about in friends backyards; I have had some blissful moments during December.

Saturday, 4 January 2014

Welcome to the last instalment of Happy Holidays series! Although Christmas Day has passed us by there is a tradition of keeping the tree up ten days after Christmas Day. Which is perfect for me because working in retail for the entirety of the week before and after Christmas did not grace me with much leisure time to take a moment and enjoy some Christmas films. Here are the classic Holiday films I enjoy to watch and please feel free to share your favourite holiday films/shows!

Keep Calm And Carry On
I'm not the first is saying that Love Actually is in my laptop's disk drive as of December 1st and repeats of this film are expected throughout the Holiday season. Because nothing says Christmas more than watching these familiar characters struggle with their own personal crisis' and celebrate the Holidays. I can't help but love to watch Bridget Jones as part of my Christmas movie-list because Bridget is so tragic and hilarious she is perfectly flawed.

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas
I love films that feature snow and as a Australian whose Christmas feature 30 degree heat I can't help but love the magic behind it. My first fantasy movie I love to watch is Narina: The Lion Witch and Wardrobe Oh boy! aren't we all glad Lucy stumbled into that wardrobe in the movie because the Narina world is something entirely magical. I can't explain how enchanted I feel watching this film just before Christmas especially when I've got some Turkish Delights beside me. Harry Potter: The Philosophers Stone is another film that takes my breath away. God bless the adorable faces of little Ron, Harry and Hermonie they are so cute and this movie is by far my favourite of the series.

No Christmas Is Complete Without a Feast
I am completely devoted to Nigella Queen Bee of the kitchen. This year's holiday cooking special was Nigellissima An italian inspired Christmas I particularly loved the look of her Pomegranate Christmas cocktails and her Cappuccino pavlova featured on this years program.

Christmas specials
I have previously mentioned how obsessed I am with my tv shows and typically I will write down schedules and air dates in my weekly diary planner. However, the Christmas specials are always my favourite to watch. I have been a fan of Doctor Who for a while, I was introduced to the series when Matt Smith began his adaption of The Doctor and in December I was among Whovian fans who bid farewell to Rageddy Man. I gave the episode a solemn send-off with a British gin and tonic and wept from the opening sequence through the end. I loved the Call The Midwife Christmas special where the royal wedding of Kate Middleton's was dethrone as wedding of the decade by the beautiful nuptials of Shelagh the renounced Sister Bernadette! I was impressed with Downtown Abby's Christmas special but I feel like I'm losing my love for the show since writing has slipped below standards and the characters I love are becoming dull. After so many tears I welcome the bellyaches from laughing at the Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2013 I can forgive Jimmy's soap-box laugh and simply indulge in the comedy chemistry of Noel Fielding's quickness andRichard Ayoade (Moss from IT Crowd)

Thursday, 2 January 2014

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Happy New Year lovelies! 2014 is the year of Radiant Orchid according to Pantone, it is the Chinese New Year of 'The Horse' and geologically 4.54 billion + one years older! I personally rang in the new year by attending a couple of house parties, seaside fireworks & then I was tuckered up in bed by 12:30. I hope you all had magical evenings and welcomed 2014 in whatever way you chose to celebrate.

I want to reserve this little space to thank all my visitors to my blog. I have received a marvellous welcome to this blogging community and appreciate your continueal love and support. I plan on growing 'Paperdoll Chronicles' even further beyond the original 'online diary' idea so I thank you for your patience in this gradual transformation.

2013 was my year of Healing. This process was slow like plate-tectonics and I feel like my equilibrium has returned. I struggle to find the perfect words for 2013 so I shall refer to this lovely quote.

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”